The Know Daily - Thursday 13 November 2025

_{Read in 4m 28s ∙ Listening to Zara Larsson ∙}

Melbourne’s beloved little penguins are back under the spotlight. After a five-year break, free nightly tours have returned to St Kilda Pier – complete with a new 150-metre elevated viewing platform that lets visitors get close, safely and quietly. But, more importantly… look how cute! 😭

📚 Reigniting reading in Britain

The UK government and businesses are launching campaigns to tackle a decline in reading, as the National Literacy Trust has found just one in three young people say they enjoy reading in their free time.

What’s the problem?
Enjoyment of reading has dropped to record lows and teachers say it’s having a knock-on effect on learning and confidence. Surveys show that adults are reading less too, with book sales and library visits falling since the pandemic. In fact, 35% of UK adults have given up reading for pleasure. Many say they “don’t have time” to read, while others have simply fallen out of the habit.

Why is it particularly important?
Reading for pleasure, especially amongst children, can be one of the strongest predictors of academic success. But it's not just about literacy – it’s about life skills. It builds vocabulary, empathy and imagination and is linked to better wellbeing and mental health. The Trust’s research shows that children who enjoy reading score significantly higher in literacy assessments. When reading becomes a chore rather than a joy, children lose out on more than stories: they lose a key to understanding the world around them.

So what’s being done about it?
Earlier this year, the UK’s Education Secretary announced the National Year of Reading for 2026, which pledges to deliver 1.5 million individual reading sessions to children in primary schools nationwide.

There’s also initiatives by businesses and groups: The Sunday Times recently launched its Get Britain Reading campaign to reignite the nation’s love of literature through donations of books to food banks. Meanwhile, Hachette UK has partnered with the National Literacy Trust to reach children who have limited access to books at home through donations and employee volunteering. Publishers, teachers and campaigners say the goal is to make reading feel like a treat again… rather than a piece of homework.

Fallen out of love with reading? Here are a few tips to get back into the habit.
⏰ Start small: aim for just ten minutes a day to rebuild the habit.
📋 Get a TBR list going: maybe start with our autumn recs?
📱 Swap the scroll for a story: make reading before bed your new routine.
📖 Keep a book handy: in your bag, by your bed, or anywhere you have a few quiet minutes.

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🪙 The United States Mint is making its final penny today in a move triggered by a directive from President Donald Trump and rising production costs that now exceed the value of the coin. 

• The bigger story: Each penny now costs nearly 4 cents to make, prompting the United States Treasury Department to project annual savings of about $56 million by ending new production. Businesses are already adjusting, with some retail stores beginning to round cash transactions to the nearest five-cent increment.

🚫 Animal testing is to be phased out faster in the UK after the government released plans to use alternative testing methods, including greater use of artificial intelligence.

🚙 Only learner drivers, instead of instructors, will be able to book driving tests in an effort to reduce long waiting lists and to stop bots booking up slots.

📊 A new YouGov poll has revealed that half of Britons want Keir Starmer to stand down as leader of the Labour Party.

🌅 The rare red and pink lights of Aurora Borealis have been seen across Europe from Ireland to Austria. It’s worth looking our of your window as they’re set to keep going 👀

🍷 Award-winning wine is being produced in one of the world’s driest climates – here’s how.

🎄 In the spirit yet? Here’s your guide to all things cultural in London leading up to Christmas this year. Also check out the countdowns to the big day in Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

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Trivia answer: C) The pop star will produce and feature in the currently untitled adaptation.

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